Milwaukee Bucks center Larry Sanders is out indefinitely with a fractured right orbital bone suffered Saturday night against Houston.

It's the latest in a series of blows this season for the 6-foot-11 Sanders, who signed a four-year, $44 million contract extension in the off-season.

Sanders suffered his latest injury while contesting for a rebound in the first quarter when he inadvertently was elbowed by Rockets guard James Harden.

"It's really unfortunate because the kid had been playing well," Bucks coach Larry Drew said of Sanders. "He was starting to play with a rhythm and had played two of his better games this year."

Sanders had eight points and 11 rebounds against New York one week ago and followed up with a career-high 25 points and 15 rebounds in the Bucks' loss at Denver on Wednesday.

A Bucks spokesman gave no timetable on Sanders' return and indicated he would see a specialist Tuesday. Drew said Sanders still was suffering from blurred vision.

"He was starting to get that energy back and that fire and that passion," Drew said. "But it's just really unfortunate."

Sanders missed six weeks and 25 games early in the season after undergoing surgery on his right thumb following a brawl at a downtown Milwaukee night club.

He returned Dec. 27 at Brooklyn and has played in 20 games since then.

Sanders averaged 14.3 points (19-of-30 shooting) and 11.3 rebounds in three February games before suffering the injury. For the season he has averaged 7.7 points and 7.2 rebounds while playing 25.4 minutes per game.

A year ago Sanders had a breakout season while finishing second in the league in blocked shots and ranking third in voting for the league's most improved player award. He averaged 9.8 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.8 blocks in 71 games, including 55 starts.

The tandem of John Henson and Sanders started together for the first time Saturday, but the players were on the floor together for less than 5 minutes before Sanders was injured.

Sanders went up to grab an offensive rebound, but Harden was going up at the same time and his elbow caught the Bucks player in the right eye.

Henson started at power forward against Boston on Monday, and veteran Zaza Pachulia started at center.

The Bucks had two big men available off the bench with Miroslav Raduljica and the return of 6-10 forward Ekpe Udoh, who had missed the previous eight games with a sprained left ankle.